The class is called “Papercraft Automata” and is open to students ages 11 and up. (Younger students are welcome with parental accompaniment.) If the first class is successful, I hope to make it a continuing series.

Using Rob Ives’ wonderful paper automata designs, I will teach you the basics of mechanical movement. Each class will explore a different mechanical movement concept including crank sliders, scotch yokes, geneva cranks, gear boxes, worm gears, rack and pinions, and more

In the first class, we will learn all about cams by building the Hungry T-Rex Dinosaur! This is a great introduction to mechanical movement because the kit provides several sets of cams that change the dinosaur’s animation.

Cams have been around for hundreds of years. They are the main mechanical principal behind self-writing, self-drawing, and music-playing automata such as the one featured in the movie Hugo. There’s so much you can do with this one simple concept!

UPDATE 6/29/2016: We have reached our class capacity, and signups are now closed.

Modular Art Pods is pleased to be partnering with Studio NPL to launch PodWorks, a weeklong pod-making workshop this summer. The FREE four-day camp runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 12th through Friday, July 15th at the Nashville Public Library main branch. PodWorks is open to teens entering grades 7 through 12.

In this Studio NPL workshop, students will make miniature environments the size of a 4-foot cube. Students can utilize painting, 3D-printing, textiles, paper-cutting, electronics, live performance, lighting design, shop class, and just about any art imaginable to create their immersive work. At the end of the week, we will connect the pods together and form a tunnel that the teens, their family, and visitors can crawl through.

There will also be an accessible backlot tour filled with peepholes and ways to interact with the inside. Students do not need to be able to crawl through the tunnel in order to take the workshop. It is open to students with all levels of accessibility.

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PodWorks will be taught by Modular Art Pods founder Tony Youngblood and StudioNPL Mentor Emily Sue Laird. Each day, we will welcome a new guest artist with their own area of expertise.

Workshop and materials are FREE! We’ll build the structures out of items such as cardboard, foam sheeting, and pvc pipe. We have access to all the Studio NPL goodies, including LittleBits, robotics kits, 3D printers, large format printers, sewing machines, and vinyl cutters.

Sign up below, and hurry. Class space is limited!UPDATE 6/29/2016: We have reached our class capacity, and signups are now closed.

Studio NPL is located on the fourth floor of the Nashville Public Library Main Branch, 615 Church Street Nashville, TN 37219. The teen space is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees are welcome to arrive early or leave late.